Since 2003, Dr. Rod Buzzas of Advanced Vein Care in Bend has been treating patients who suffer from varicose vein disease using the latest in cutting-edge technology and proven techniques. A leader in his field, the native Montanan attended medical school in Omaha, Nebraska and performed his general surgical residency at the University of Kansas. He moved to Oregon in 1998 as a general surgeon and has lived in Central Oregon ever since.
“We opened Advanced Vein Care to treat varicose veins due to the significant need for this type of treatment which was not available at that time in the entire state,” said Buzzas. “We were the first to offer the minimally invasive procedures for varicose vein issues and venous stasis disease (VSD). VSD is varicose disease causing secondary leg swelling, skin changes and painful leg ulcers.
In 2005 we were the first to offer the latest radio frequency ablation technology, which allows for an increased success rate in treating venous reflux over the traditional laser and vein stripping methods. We’ve taken the treatment out of the operating room under general anesthesia and brought it into the office and clinic where people can walk in and go home after getting their veins treated.”
Dr. Buzzas and his dedicated staff work well together and have adopted a team approach for optimal patient care and comfort.
“Eric Davis, PA-C is my physician assistant and is integrally involved in the evaluation and treatment of vein disease as well,” he said. “He graduated from Oregon Health Sciences University and started with me in 2002. We have a full staff here at the clinic: Danielle is a registered vascular technician doing our ultrasounds, Mary is our office coordinator who deals with insurance authorization criteria and other issues and Becky is a medical assistant who assists with all the surgical vein procedures.”
A typical patient will have an appointment for an evaluation on their condition which would include a complete history and physical exam followed by an ultrasound evaluation. Then a meeting is set to discuss findings and set an appropriate plan to advise them on what the necessary treatments would be to get their condition improved and under control.
In conjunction with this, the patient will also meet with the coordinator to review their insurance coverage and determine what portions of the procedure might be paid by their insurance, including what portions would be paid out of pocket and what criteria they must meet. Carriers often require patients to seek alternative therapies before surgical procedures, such as wearing compression stocking for period of time, or a trial of exercise and leg elevation prior to approving any claims.
“Varicose veins are chiefly caused by genetics,” explained Buzzas. “We know veins travel in families. They are much more common in women than men as the same hormones that allow women to accommodate and deliver a baby also let veins stretch. However, these veins, once stretched, seldom return to their previous size. The third problem is gravity; people who have jobs where they stand or sit for long periods of time tend to have more problems than others. Persons employed in professions as truck drivers, receptionists and administrative assistants fall into that category.”
While weight is an issue, it is not one of the primary factors for vein disease. According to Buzzas, there are studies that show a lower incidence of visible varicose veins in overweight persons compared to thin people due that former group having more soft tissue surrounding the veins. While there are many alternative therapies and treatment options out there for people to experiment with, Buzzas operates in the legitimacy of proven medical science whose methods have been backed up with years of research and results.
“Everything I do and preach is backed up by extensive study and looking at patient trials,” he said. “One of the biggest things we fight against is that for generations people have been told there’s nothing they can do for varicose veins. Now we have all this new technology that allows us to get a person’s circulation going back in the right direction and return them to a quality of life, to benefit them and protect them from edema or swelling in their legs, ulcers and various other skin changes. And to help with the unsightliness of it all.”
Dr. Buzzas is board certified by the American Board of Phlebology for treating varicose vein disease. In addition to running the busy clinic as medical director, Buzzas is also the program director for venous education courses and lectures across the nation on varicose vein disease and the latest treatment options. This past month alone, his travels took him to San Diego, Chicago and Dallas.
“One of the things that brought me to Central Oregon is the upstanding medical environment and hospital system that exists here. In many ways, Bend was like an oasis sheltered from the managed care environment that was saddling the rest of the country. Here physicians enjoyed an increased ability to care for patients and practice medicine as opposed to simply serving the mechanics of healthcare industry. That appealed greatly to me.”
Buzzas and his family love Bend and he can’t think of a better place to work and raise his four children.
“Two of my kids are highly involved in the competitive soccer world so we spend a fair amount of time traveling to watch their games. We stay pretty busy.”
Advanced Vein Care is a division of Praxis-Advanced Specialty Care and is located at 2084 NE Professional Ct.
in Bend.
www.advancedspecialtycare.com or 541-322-5753.
